Running For My Life

When I was born my father was in prison. The state removed my sister and I from the care of our mother. We went from home to home. As a teenager I went to live with an aunt and uncle for a few years. One day they announced that not only were we going to go to church, but that we also had to go to Sunday school. Church is something we didn't normally do. I was clueless about church AND Sunday school... beyond clueless. When we got to the church I was sent to this large room full of teens. I had moved around so much growing up that I felt comfortable just blending in. I didn't approach anyone and no one approached me. Then, out of the blue, the leader told all the kids to go to their classes. Classes???? I had no idea where to go and no one seemed to notice me. Everyone simply got up and headed to various destinations. I had two options: 1. Approach someone and ask them where I was suppose to go. 2. Leave the church and walk a few blocks over to Warehouse Row (a place with all sorts of clothing stores and cute little shops). I opted for Warehouse Row.

The church was located in downtown Chattanooga,TN. As all the kids headed to their Sunday school class I made my way outdoors to freedom - so I thought. It wasn't too many blocks into my walk before I noticed how empty the streets were. I was beginning to wonder if Warehouse Row would even be open at 8 am on a Sunday morning. I was way past being naive here... I was into stupidity. How I didn't know everything is closed on Sunday mornings in the heart of the Bible belt is beyond trying to defend, so I won't even try to.

Right about the time I began questioning the reasoning of my great plan two men spotted me walking down the street all alone in my church dress and mini pumps. It only took them half a second to decide to pursue me. It quickly turned into a race for my life, I knew that without doubt. There wasn't another soul on those streets - no person, no car, no office open - nothing. I crossed the street, so did they. I turned the corner, so did they. I was so far from the Lord that I didn't even ask Him for help. I didn't even think to cry out to Him. But God in His mercy sent what I didn't deserve: a policeman! Out of nowhere he came driving by and saw me being chased by those men. He pulled up, opened his car door and asked me to get in. When I got into his car he couldn't help but question me, "Where are you suppose to be right now?"
"At church" I mumbled in relief and embarrassment.
He drove me to the church and I got out of the police car. I went into the service, found my aunt and uncle and sat down. I didn't dare tell them what had happened. I would like to say I listened more intensely to the sermon and gave my life to Christ but I didn't. I didn't even think to tell the Lord thank you.

Do you know what? When I did become a Christian at age 18, I had a HUGE desire to go to church. I hadn't invested any money on church clothes so I had to search my closet for something to wear. I could only find one dress. Do you know what dress I found? The one I wore the day I skipped Sunday school when I was 16. The one I almost died in. The one I was wearing when God delivered me, even though my prayer life was so non-existent that I didn't even think to ask for help, nor bother to offer up a praise after He did. As I put the dress on the magnitude of what God had done for me became obvious. I felt such remorse that even after He saved me I didn't even pay attention to the sermon or bother to ever go back to church. I couldn't help but question Him as to why He even stooped so low to save me. He answered so clearly that it took me by surprise. He said, "On the day I saved you I saw you wearing this dress TODAY. You NOW see what you WERE but I always saw what you would be. I knew that this would be the dress you would wear to church today and I saved it for you. And I saved you for me ."

When I was asked to join a speaking team for the "Be Still, Get Real" conferences I was told I had to meet our sponsor. Do you know where I was told to go to? That church. Yes, God doesn't just see what we are. He sees what we will be.

"Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep your Word. Open my eyes, that I may see wonderous things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me." Psalm 119:17-19